What film to shoot on vacation? (Montreal)

I'm going on a "vacation" vacation (not to be confused

with "photography" vacation) for the weekend. My question is: What

film to shoot? I usually like Fuji Velvia (50 or 100) for outdoor

shots, but would like to get some people shots as well. I don't want

to get stuck with iso50 or 100 and then be in need of something

faster. What would YOU do? It's realistic for me to bring a couple

camera bodies. I was thinking of carrying one with the Velvia and

another with Fuji Superia 400. Or, I could carry one with Velvia and

another with Fuji Realia 100 during the day, and then switch the

Realia for the Superia 400 at night (or maybe 800 at night?)

 

Any comments would be most apreciated.

 

-James

Also,

 

If anyone has any favorite spots for photos in Montreal, please let me know. I'm a pretty "average" amature, and my pictures from my last trip came out medicore at best. (lack of enthusiasm in the pictures i think) (also, if you have any pictures of your own from montreal, please show me. i would love to see some examples)

My gut feel is to say shoot what you like and what you're familiar with. If you want neg film for greater latitude, then the Fuji print films you mention will serve well. I also like the Portra emulsions. If you got in to the smaller alleys in Old Montreal, you might find the shade too dark for handholding Velvia. By the way, I'd suggest Old Montreal for worthwhile wandering around. Touristy, sure, but worth a trip.

 

Just a couple thoughts from someone else with a Strat, a LP Studio Custom, and a Takamine...

Good point guys. I took a backpacking trip to Maine, where the main focus was photography. I only took one body there, so I'm sure one would be fine here. BUT, the hotel is right downtown, so i'm thinking that it'd be just as easy to CARRY just one body, but have my "night time" body waiting for me at the hotel. That way I don't have to waste film (don't want to have to finish off a roll of 36 when i'm at 4 just to switch to faster film).

 

Anyone have any favorite spots though?

 

I apreciate all the responses so far!

 

Thanks

-James

<em>(don't want to have to finish off a roll of 36 when i'm at 4 just to switch to faster film)</em>

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If your camera can't do a rewind and leave the film out, then why not invest in a $3 leader-retriever and pull the leader back out of the unfinished roll. I always have a fine-tipped sharpie with me to mark on the outside of the roll if I do a mid-roll rewind.

I thought about rewinding. . .but #1, that takes time when i'm looking to get a shot and #2 how accurate is that really? I mean, how do i get it back to exactly where i want it? will it line up right?

Hi James,

 

I currently live in Montreal. I dont know of many favorite spots...but, Walk through Mt. Royal to the chalet for a nice view of the city. It along with Old Montreal is touristy, but your a tourist :) St.Catherines St is a great people watching street. Lots of oppourtunity for street candids (bring the Wide!). Remember to try and make it out to the 'suburbs' of Montreal. Each little borough(sp?!) is different and interesting. My Favorite is the waterfront in my home of LaSalle. The waterfront streches for kilometers and is nice and clean and peaceful. Lots to take pictures of there. I think you can even walk into the city following the path, but I have never done so.

 

I mainly shoot Velvia 50 and Provia 100. I also lug around a tripod. If you want to see photos, check out my porfolio, I will be adding pictures tonight.

 

I am currently looking myself for a nice locations for skyline shots of MTL. If anyone can post a nice spot... It would help me too.

 

Just have a good time while in Montreal. Its a great city.

James,

 

How long would it take to finish up a roll of 36 if you're at #4? I would think it would take a heck of a lot longer.

 

If you're concerned about double-exposing a shot, just shoot one past the number you mark on the film canister.

 

For returning to your previous shot, do the following:

1) put the lens cap on

 

2) set the shutter speed to the fastest your camera can go (1/2000, 1/4000)

 

3) set the aperture to f/22 or smaller if you can.

 

Shoot away until you get back to #4. Shoot one more to be safe if you want.

re- film, with negative film, ISO 200 or 400 will do quite well. With slide film, you can use Velvia 50 or 100 ISO, Sensia 100, Ektachrome 100 GX, Provia 100F or Provia 400 F, the choice is yours. Any of these films will give good results.

Places to visit ? There is a wonderful international flower exposition going on presently, called " Les floralies ", with many countries participating. Starting next year, you'll have to go to China to see it. It is in the Old Port area and definitely worth visiting. All the Old Port area is nice, and the Old Montreal section adjacent to it is something special too, with it's 17thand 18th century architecture. Also visit the Botanical garden with it's Japanese and Chinese gardens, one of the biggest botanical gardens in the world. Right across the street ( Sherbrooke street ) you can visit the Biodome for a peek at the various climates in the world, and the animal world that inhabit each one. After that, why not visit the Notre Dame church ( impressive ) in Old Montreal and the St-Joseph Oratory, a huge affair !

This should keep you very busy for all the week-end !

Montreal night life is quite busy - starting with the casino ( with a show every night ), and the numerous night clubs if you like that.

Food is excellent and you should be able to find restaurants serving food from most countries of the world.

THANKS!

 

That's interesting about the film rewind. I'll give it a whirl. As for places to visit, I really have to thank you. I was almost regretting going to Montreal instead of Quebec City. I was in Quebec City about 10 years ago and remember there being a lot in the old city. I also remember there not being much interesting to DO there (other then taking pictures). In Montreal last year, I was stuck for finding good photographic subjects, but there was plenty to DO. (casino, etc)

 

So thanks again and keep the suggestions coming!

-James

A vacation vacation means the enjoying of heaving plenty. I'd calculate a little bit higher film speed, to risk nothing , a really safe shutter speed and enough DOF With a light telezoom I hate to go below 400. But on the other hand you should always try to use the films you are used to, so take a slide film with similar looking colors, if there is one. I don't know how and where you like to picture people. If you have a fast lens for your night camera (90mm, f2,0?) you could try 400 and have a bouncable flash as a backup or go for the faster stuff. In black and white I prefer 400 and 1600 as a standart (with moderate amount of equipment).

I was in Montreal a few months ago. I shot the same film I shoot at home. It's not like there's something really strange with the light there. Sometimes it's sunny, sometimes it rains, sometimes it's in-between, and then sometimes it's just night.<p>

 

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<img src="http://www.spirer.com/quebec/images/montwindow.jpg"><br>

<i>Montral Partygoers, Copyright 2003 Jeff Spirer</i>

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James - re Rob's rewind instructions above, you will have to set your camera at Manual Focus (MF) before you begin.

 

Have fun at Montreal!

What Rene said! Plenty of subjects in Old Montreal, especially the street performers in Old Port are. Street photography is great, and people are seldom bothered. I like to shoot in the pub/restaurants (but I usually ask my wife to pose and pretend to be taking photos of her.)

James,

 

Thanks for asking the question--the various responses are interesting and helpful.

 

I was going to suggest that you use what you're familiar with, BUT that you consider using Provia 400F if you want a fast slide film. I find that any film 800 speed or faster tends to get grainy, and the Fuji print film actually do worse than the Kodak films (in my experience).

 

Provia 400F seems to handle low-light hand-held situations well. If you're using a tripod or beanbag, then stick with Velvia.

 

One other helpful tip: When in Montreal, look for a Canadian-made beanbag called "The Pod" which has screw on one side, threaded for a standard tripod screw. I picked one up once and found it to be sooooo much lighter than a tripod, and it stays on your body as you move from place-to-place. The downside is that you have to use walls, trashcans, etc to prop up your camera/beanbag combo, but that's a price I'm willing to pay.